CCNRD

Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD)

February 6th Regular Board Meeting Minutes

CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:06 pm by Chairman Wayne Garman at the Sundance USDA Service Center.

ATTENDANCE

Board: Wayne Garman, Lily Altaffer, Kim Fundaun, Casey Devish, Wanda Burget

Employees: Bridget Helms, Sarah Anderson, Call: Jessica Halverson, Carmen Horne-McIntyre

Guests: Keela Deaton, NRCS (call)

MONTHLY UPDATES

A. NRCS Update Keela said her office has 11 contracts currently, 8 forestry contracts planned and 4 CSP applications. Climate smart practices and urban agriculture are the focus. The Crook County allocation for this year will be focused on a range project.

B. Water Quality Program Updates by Carmen & Jessica

Grant updates Quarterly reports have been submitted. Carmen discussed submitting another request for WDA funding later this year. We are current on annual plans of work being submitted. The shade balls have arrived, tanks and tank heaters are here, Jessie will be setting them up soon.

Water sampling Jessie and Carmen will be updating the Sampling Analysis Plan and making updates as needed for re-submittal, and will line out the 2024 monitoring schedule. The monitoring supplies inventory will also be revisited in preparation for the next season. Carmen will also submit a Lab Fund voucher to the WY Department of Agriculture next month along with a request for supplemental funding for supplies as needed.

UAC grant Jessie completed the quarterly reporting. She has been in contact with Sara Fleenor at UW Extension about purchasing materials for planter boxes. The announcement has been written up and will be distributed with county needs assessment attached. Jessie will set up the courthouse display this week with tree sale information.

2024 Tree Sale To date 7 orders were received totaling $2700 in sales and 65 trees.

Keela and Jessie both attended the soil health conference in Rapid City in January.

C. Forestry Program Update by Sarah

Wildlife projects are ongoing: 484 acres completed, 117 in progress, 520 acres remaining.

Hazardous fuels reduction projects are also ongoing: 14 Acres completed, 12.00 Acres pending approval, 1 Defensible space remaining, 17.50 Acres of fuel break remaining.

Last week an application was withdrawn. Sarah attended the Northern Long Eared Bat symposium last week as the bat listings do impact forestry projects. Sarah also attended the NRCS ad hoc forestry subcommittee meeting, Wyoming Cooperating Agency meetings, and NFAB meeting. Sarah will be attending the USFS Forest Plan Revision Public information meeting in Sundance on February 8th.

D. Office Manager Update by Bridget

Mary Sell Engagement letters were signed for 2023-2024.

State funding criteria The bonding form and risk management practices forms were presented. Lily made a motion to approve to sign both forms. Kim seconded. Motion carried.

Bridget has submitted the 1099 forms to the IRS. Sales Tax has been paid. Work on the annual report and plan of work is ongoing. We took two boxes of Christmas lights to be recycled in Rapid City. Supplies have been ordered. NRCS provided CCNRD staff with new laptops. Electronic Recycling options are being explored for this year.

E. Local Issues Crook County Citizen Input meeting results were discussed.

F. Financials

Budget Resolution 2.4.2024 A motion to approve Budget Resolution 2.6.2024 was made by Wanda. This resolution is due to Intuit raising prices for payroll and direct deposit. Kim seconded. Motion carried. A motion to pay the bills was made by Wanda and seconded by Lily. Motion carried. All checks were signed, and the reconciliation reports prepared by Bridget were reviewed and signed.

G. Approve January 4th Minutes A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Wanda and seconded by Lily. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Local Working Group Resource Concerns Rankings This year the Local Working Group meeting will be Crook County only. Dates were discussed and April 2nd at 10:00 am was chosen. Staff will coordinate with NRCS for advertising.

B. NACD Memorandum of Agreement This agreement is for the 2023 NACD Technical Assistance Grant funding. Wanda made a motion to sign the NACD Memorandum of Agreement. Casey seconded. Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn was made at 2:06 pm by Wanda and seconded by Kim.

Office Manager Signature:

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Chairman Signature:

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